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The owners of an alleged Pleasant Hope puppy mill that drew national attention in February were charged with several felony counts today, with dozens of more charges to come.Carold H. Cruse, 48, and his wife Rebecca, 49, are charged with three felony counts of animal abuse, stemming from three Yorkshire terriers allegedly found in deplorable condition at a kennel the couple owned.Those dogs were put down after authorities executed a search warrant on the kennel Feb. 13.Prosecutors plan to file 40 more misdemeanor animal abuse counts against each of the defendants for other “Yorkies” allegedly found in similarly poor condition, said Assistant Greene County Prosecutor Kristen Tuohy.Court documents used to charge the Cruses allege the couple kept scores of dogs in their kennel, neglecting to groom, properly feed or clean up after the animals.Investigators who searched the facility found 93 Yorkshire terriers, most of them allegedly with feces, urine or vomit matted into their unkempt fur, and a variety of health problems. The bust was sensational enough to warrant a mention on the Oprah Winfrey show, a move which garnered enough publicity to secure adoption for all of the animals, said Jeane Jae, director of communications for the Humane Society of Missouri.In a probable cause statement, Greene County Det. Ronald Killingsworth wrote Carold Cruse said “the kennel had got away from him and his wife and that a veterinarian had never been to this location for inspection or examination. The inattention to the daily cleaning, feeding and watering and the lack of veterinary care contributed to the severe conditions the animals were forced to live in.”In the case of one of the euthanized animals, matted fur had cut into a leg, causing what the probable cause document called “tissue strangulation.”Another of the animals’ knee caps were dislocated, and the third had a fractured lower jaw and an infection that had created a hole between it’s mouth and nasal cavity.Investigators rated each animal seized from the kennel on something called the Henneke scale, designed to rate the weight conditions of animals. Each of the three euthanized dogs had a rating of one, or emaciated, the probable cause statement says.In these three cases, the Cruses are accused of causing suffering that “was the result of torture consciously inflicted... while the animal was alive.”Once the felony matters are taken up at preliminary hearing, Tuohy plans to file 40 misdemeanor counts against the couple — each stemming from animals who scored either a one or two (very thin) on the Henneke scale and had various other health issues.The misdemeanor abuse charges will carry a maximum of one year imprisonment.In all, the planned charges correspond to 43 of the 93 dogs allegedly found at the kennel. Tuohy would not comment on why charges weren’t filed on the remaining 50 animals.“In any animal abuse case, we review the reports submitted by the investigating agency and we speak with the attending vets,” she said. “Based on those reports a charging decision is made.”Arrest warrants for both Carold and Rebecca Cruse were signed by a judge this morning, with a $1,500 bond set for each.Among conditions of the couples’ release is that they are not to possess any animals.

The owners of an alleged Pleasant Hope puppy mill that drew national attention in February were charged with several felony counts today, with dozens of more charges to come.Carold H. Cruse, 48, and his wife Rebecca, 49, are charged with three felony counts of animal abuse, stemming from three Yorkshire terriers allegedly found in deplorable condition at a kennel the couple owned.Those dogs were put down after authorities executed a search warrant on the kennel Feb. 13.Prosecutors plan to file 40 more misdemeanor animal abuse counts against each of the defendants for other “Yorkies” allegedly found in similarly poor condition, said Assistant Greene County Prosecutor Kristen Tuohy.Court documents used to charge the Cruses allege the couple kept scores of dogs in their kennel, neglecting to groom, properly feed or clean up after the animals.Investigators who searched the facility found 93 Yorkshire terriers, most of them allegedly with feces, urine or vomit matted into their unkempt fur, and a variety of health problems. The bust was sensational enough to warrant a mention on the Oprah Winfrey show, a move which garnered enough publicity to secure adoption for all of the animals, said Jeane Jae, director of communications for the Humane Society of Missouri.In a probable cause statement, Greene County Det. Ronald Killingsworth wrote Carold Cruse said “the kennel had got away from him and his wife and that a veterinarian had never been to this location for inspection or examination. The inattention to the daily cleaning, feeding and watering and the lack of veterinary care contributed to the severe conditions the animals were forced to live in.”In the case of one of the euthanized animals, matted fur had cut into a leg, causing what the probable cause document called “tissue strangulation.”Another of the animals’ knee caps were dislocated, and the third had a fractured lower jaw and an infection that had created a hole between it’s mouth and nasal cavity.Investigators rated each animal seized from the kennel on something called the Henneke scale, designed to rate the weight conditions of animals. Each of the three euthanized dogs had a rating of one, or emaciated, the probable cause statement says.In these three cases, the Cruses are accused of causing suffering that “was the result of torture consciously inflicted... while the animal was alive.”Once the felony matters are taken up at preliminary hearing, Tuohy plans to file 40 misdemeanor counts against the couple — each stemming from animals who scored either a one or two (very thin) on the Henneke scale and had various other health issues.The misdemeanor abuse charges will carry a maximum of one year imprisonment.In all, the planned charges correspond to 43 of the 93 dogs allegedly found at the kennel. Tuohy would not comment on why charges weren’t filed on the remaining 50 animals.“In any animal abuse case, we review the reports submitted by the investigating agency and we speak with the attending vets,” she said. “Based on those reports a charging decision is made.”Arrest warrants for both Carold and Rebecca Cruse were signed by a judge this morning, with a $1,500 bond set for each.Among conditions of the couples’ release is that they are not to possess any animals.

It is really good that the owners were arrested, fined, and not to posses anymore animals. It is tragic that there are puppy mills that are legal and the canines suffer horrible conditions. On the National Geographic channel there was a show about puppy mills where Cazer Millian, Dog Whisper, did a special on the cruelties of such places. Thank you for posting this article. Bently 1.

This is the time where every member of YT can help and make a difference. Each member can write a letter to the judge asking him/her to throw the book at this couple and make them an example of what happens to people who force their animals to live in inhumane conditions.

The people of MO (I believe this is the correct state) need to get as many people as they know to send letters/make calls to their congressmen/senators and tell them to apply pressure at all levels as these "greeders" need to get the full amount of the law.

OMG! All I can do is cry right now, Please can anyone with just a tiny heart tell me how you can look into those little eyes and no the pain and suffering that is going on and do nothing to help. What a bunch of money hungry pigs. What really makes me even madder is people are still buying off the Internet making more and more people joining the band wagon opening puppy mills. All I can say is I thank GOD I am not like that and all my babies are healthy loved and clean.

This is the time where every member of YT can help and make a difference. Each member can write a letter to the judge asking him/her to throw the book at this couple and make them an example of what happens to people who force their animals to live in inhumane conditions.

The people of MO (I believe this is the correct state) need to get as many people as they know to send letters/make calls to their congressmen/senators and tell them to apply pressure at all levels as these "greeders" need to get the full amount of the law.

Get involved people and pass the word!

I know how hard all of this is to read for most people but if you don't do anything then they win.

This kind of crap HAS to stop! How do these people live with themselves? I will definitely write a letter to the judge. But I have to tell you all, that our justice system is really screwed up when it comes to animal rights. I sat through a court case here in Fergus Falls MN when a local Puppy Mill owner(Kathy Jo Bauck) was on trial. Too many loop holes, unclear definitions of what the word " companion animal" even means,...etc. It was highly frustrating to watch and pretty clear that, if we want to see dramatic changes, THE LEGISLATION needs to change! As long as our laws are not clear on the meaning of animal abuse and torture, this kind of crap will just go on. So, not only do we need to write letters to the judge, we need to contact our politicians as well. Didn't mean to rant and rave.

__________________Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail." - Henry Wheeler Shaw

This is the time where every member of YT can help and make a difference. Each member can write a letter to the judge asking him/her to throw the book at this couple and make them an example of what happens to people who force their animals to live in inhumane conditions.

The people of MO (I believe this is the correct state) need to get as many people as they know to send letters/make calls to their congressmen/senators and tell them to apply pressure at all levels as these "greeders" need to get the full amount of the law.

This kind of crap HAS to stop! How do these people live with themselves? I will definitely write a letter to the judge. But I have to tell you all, that our justice system is really screwed up when it comes to animal rights. I sat through a court case here in Fergus Falls MN when a local Puppy Mill owner(Kathy Jo Bauck) was on trial. Too many loop holes, unclear definitions of what the word " companion animal" even means,...etc. It was highly frustrating to watch and pretty clear that, if we want to see dramatic changes, THE LEGISLATION needs to change! As long as our laws are not clear on the meaning of animal abuse and torture, this kind of crap will just go on. So, not only do we need to write letters to the judge, we need to contact our politicians as well. Didn't mean to rant and rave.

You are right but it has to start somewhere .... if we keep ignoring all of this nothing will change..LAWS HAVE TO CHANGE and we need to let the politicians know we care and our votes go along with this.

The laws that are broken and things that are done to these tiny creatures and even the big ones are heartbreaking!

What I cant understand is HOW people can do things like this can look at themselves in the mirror let alone live with themselves.

We have someone in our town that is not large scale like this but treats his "crop" just as bad. They dont seem to work and never seem to get caught.

Recently his new purebred yorkie female, Treasure, was in labour and she was in distress and I guess they didnt want to listen to hear her cry so they put her out in the middle of the night in a REALLY bad thunderstorm. By the time the police and animal control people showed up they were gone. (he uses scanners I hear) So no proof, so no action.

Well I it seems some terrible person went shortly there after and took Treasure one night went they put her out again. I am so glad, but the worst thing is if they had gotten caught THAT person would have been treated as a thief not a hero! Where ever Treasure is now she is definatly in a better place! Too bad they werent able to get the pups to!

I hope and pray these people get Double what they have done to these poor little guys. WE all need to stop buying dogs from these people. I'm sure there is more than one person on on YT that has bought one or more of their dogs from people like this. Pets sold in stores come from puppy mills like this!!!! People with websites with puppies for sale are people like these! I know of MANY people who think they are rescuing a puppy from these places, BUT no one cares, it just opens a cage for another.
PLEASE meet the breeder and the parents and see the home in person. You will be rewarded in many ways for the time and work it takes. DO NOT meet someone in a parking lot or have someone ship you a dog sight unseen. You may see a picture, but no guarantees it is even a puppy they own. I have had my puppies pictures stolen and used by these kind of people.
SORRY if I have stepped on anyone toes BUT we can make a difference with everyone educating everyone they come in contact with